Islamabad, Mar19 : Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is reported to have selected the party's candidate for the post of prime minister, but will announce it publicly after the announcement of the election schedule.

The Dawn quoted senior PPP leaders, as saying, "The co-chairman had decided about the candidate earlier, but the party was deliberately delaying the announcement for political reasons.

According to sources, speculation is rife that the party's nominee for prime minister would be from Punjab.

Several PPP leaders are of the view that the main contenders are Makhdoom Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani and Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi of Multan.

Most party members believe that Makhdoom Amin Fahim is out of the race, especially after his criticism of the decision-making process. The chances of Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar have also diminished.